Results from this spring's alum experiments in Grand Lake St. Marys have finally been made public.
An outside consulting firm previously recommended the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) use the final results to guide and shape the full scale alum project this summer.
That never happened and we now know why, reported ONN's Harrison Hove.
Three areas were treated with alum, but gusty winds and torrential rain helped breach the experimental zones just two days into the project.
Additional heavy rain and the presence of an early spring algae bloom also inhibited results, according to the Tetra Tech report.
While the report did find alum increases water clarity during the short term, no long term conclusions could be made.
The total phosphorus in the experimental zones fluctuated just like the rest of the lake.
At least one experimental zone ended with more total phosphorus in the sample than before it was even treated with alum.
The spring pilot yielded few usable results, but it did cost taxpayers more than $47,000.
That was paid to HAB Aquatic Solutions, the Nebraska company that was awarded millions this summer to treat about 4,000 acres of Grand Lake St. Marys with alum.
Comments